Cocky Billionaires: A Contemporary Romance Box Set

by J. P. Comeau

  She sipped her drink. “I don’t know how you threw all of this together in such a short amount of time.”

  I shrugged. “I had some favors to cash in with some people, and they were more than happy to oblige.”

  “Is that code for ‘you twisted their arm behind their back’?”

  I winked. “And if it is?”

  She wrapped her free arm around my waist. “That’s kinda hot.”

  I growled lowly. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

  An upbeat song came on, and I held up my arm. I let Kelly dance her way underneath it as we sipped our drinks and danced around the floor. I couldn't take my eyes off her. The way her hair moved and the way her legs shifted. The way she smiled up at me and the way her eyes twinkled whenever ours locked. When I pulled her back to me, my hand pressed against the small of her back, I dipped her toward the floor.

  Before planting my lips against hers.

  The woman was my world. My life. My hope. She was the reason I smiled whenever I got up, and she was the single-most holder of my heart. She was the only woman I’d ever come across that was more important than my career. Or my reputation. Or my individual pursuits. She was more important than the world I have carved out for myself, and without her, I had nothing.

  And with her, I held the world.

  “I love you,” I murmured against her lips.

  I brought her back up before her lips found my ear. Whispering a set of words that made me hopeful for the future and what life might bring our way.

  “I love you too, Brenden. Forever, and for always.”

  EPILOGUE

  _____

  KELLY

  ONE YEAR LATER

  I gasped. “My gosh, she’s so tiny. How old is she now?”

  Karina smiled. “Eight months.”

  Zane chuckled. “She’s chunked up a bit since she first hit the scene. But, despite the complications, she’s as healthy as can be.”

  I cradled Sophie in my arms as Brenden’s hand settled against the small of my back. I cooed down at the beautiful baby girl that had Karina’s eyes and Zane’s smile. She was the spitting image of her mother, and it warmed my heart. And as I held the small baby in my arms, I wondered what it might be like to one day hold my own child.

  A child I’d have with Brenden.

  “So! How was the honeymoon?” he asked.

  Zane kissed Karina’s temple. “It was fantastic. I owe Karina’s parents a serious favor for coming into town and watching Sophie while we were in Hawaii.”

  Karina sighed. “It was magical. We had our own little private bungalow with a private stretch of beach that was all ours. The same one were we stayed on our first work assignment together.”

  “And don’t forget about the cabana boy.”

  “Oh! We had a cabana boy, you guys! He brought me drinks and fruit whenever I wanted.”

  Zane nodded. “We also had surf and turf every night while we were there.”

  Karina held out her arms. “It was picturesque. But, I missed this little girl. Come here. Come to momma. Oh, I missed you so much, you perfect little thing.”

  I leaned against Brenden while I watched my best friend of numerous years kiss on the cheek of her first child. I saw the pride in Zane’s eyes whenever he looked down at his daughter, and I saw the love he had for Karina every time he looked at her. It was perfect. They were perfect.

  But, I had my own slice of perfection standing right beside me.

  “You think you want one of these, one day?” Zane asked.

  I smiled. “Maybe one day.”

  Brenden kissed the top of my head. “Whenever she’s ready, I’m ready.”

  Karina looked up. “Wait, what?”

  My gaze fluttered up to his. “Do you mean that?”

  He pulled me close. “I’d want nothing more in this world than to start a family with you, Kelly.”

  I looked over at Karina, and she gave me a nice little head nod.

  “Love looks good on you, Brenden,” Karina said.

  Zane chuckled. “Told you.”

  I furrowed my brow. “What? Did I miss something?”

  Brenden rubbed my back. “Just a small conversation we had back last year. No biggie.”

  “It sounds biggie.”

  He winked at me. “I’ll tell you all about it over dinner tonight. How’s that sound?”

  “Dinner in? Or, dinner out?”

  “Which would you prefer?”

  “I mean, dinner out is always nice. But, dinner in might give us some time for a practice run. Or, two.”

  “A practice run of what?”

  Zane barked with laughter. “Man, you really are thick-headed.”

  And when Karina motioned with her head down to the baby in her arms, Brenden grinned deviously.

  “Dinner in, it is, then,” he said. “Tomorrow.”

  I paused. “Tomorrow?”

  He sighed. “I kind of booked us reservations tonight for all of us to go out. Baby included, of course.”

  Zane paused. “Where are we headed?”

  I pointed at him. “You remember that Indian cuisine place that opened up downtown a couple of weeks ago?”

  Karina gasped. “You got reservations to Bombay Sitar? I hear that place is booked out until the end of the year!”

  I giggled. “Another one of your favors, Brenden?”

  He shrugged. “I have my talents. But, we need to get going if we’re going to make them. Our reservations are in an hour, and I figured you two would have at least wanted to change or shower or something.”

  Zane smiled. “Or something.”

  I wiggled my eyebrows. “Do you guys need a moment?”

  Karina swatted at him. “We’re fine. We can wait until this evening after dinner.”

  She passed Sophie back to me, and I got to entertain the baby while Karina and Zane went to clean up. Brenden and I sat on the couch next to one another, cooing and talking softly to the beautiful bundle in my arms. I passed her to Brenden and leaned back, watching him cradle the small baby in his arms. And as my eyes danced over the happiness in his face, I mindlessly settled my hand on my stomach.

  One of these days.

  “So, how are things going with the launch of your line?” Brenden asked.

  Sophie started laughing and kicking her legs, and I’d never seen him smile so brightly.

  “Hey! I’m curious about that question, too!” Karina exclaimed as she came barreling down the stairs.

  Zane appeared from the kitchen. “What question?”

  Karina scoffed. “Seriously? You’re eating, and we’re about to leave to go eat?”

  He shrugged. “Consider it an appetizer?”

  Karina rolled her eyes. “Ugh. Men. Am I right?”

  I threw my head back with laughter. “Oh, you are so right.”

  “Wait, what did I do?” Brenden asked.

  I patted his back. “Come on, handsome. We need to get going.”

  He stood with Sophie in his arms. “But what did I do?”

  All of us headed to the restaurant where we met up with Roxy and Clint. The two of them were standing outside of the restaurant waiting for us, but for the life of me, I couldn't find Roxy’s car in the parking lot. We always parked next to one another, so we could talk and gab up until the very last second.

  “Guys, do you see her car anywhere?” I asked.

  Karina gave Zane a look before she turned around in her seat.

  “There probably isn’t any room beside her anyway. Zane’s going to take this spot over here on the side, and we’ll just walk. This place looks packed.”

  I looked over at Brenden, and I saw something rushing behind his eyes. But, I didn’t pay it any mind. If there was something going on, I knew Roxy would eventually tell me what was up. And until then, it wasn’t any of my business.

  However, I was curious and would find out as quickly as I could.

  “So, can I ask again now?” Brenden said.

&n
bsp; We all sat down at a table in the corner, and I noticed that Roxy was sitting a bit close to Clint.

  Gotcha.

  “Yes, you can ask now,” Karina said.

  I giggled. “I take it you guys want to know how the launch is going?”

  Roxy raised her hand. “I know! I know. I know how the launch is going.”

  Clint chuckled. “Fill the rest of us in, then.”

  I nodded. “Fair enough. I know you guys know about the snags I hit along the way. The issues with the office. The leaking pipes. Stuff like that. Well, suffice it to say, I didn’t think things were going to go well after I had water literally dripping onto a distributor’s head. But!”

  “But…?” Karina asked.

  I smiled. “I’ve been invited to participate in fashion week in New York City this fall.”

  “Oh, my god!”

  Karina leaped out of her seat and threw herself at me. Tears of happiness rushed my eyes as Roxy stood and clapped her hands. Zane shushed the baby softly as Brenden rubbed my back, and soon I felt his lips grace my cheek with a kiss.

  “I’m so damn proud of you,” he murmured.

  I tilted my head back and captured his lips, needing to feel a bit more of him.

  “So, how are your sales?” Zane asked.

  “Are your customers coming back?” Clint asked.

  Karina took my hands. “You did it, girl. You really did it.”

  A tear slid down my cheek. “Customers aren’t only returning, it’s like I’ve built a cult following around these boots. I mean, I knew it was a good idea, but I didn't realize it would take off so quickly. Everyone is obsessed with customizable and interchangeable boots. And my sales are through the roof. Every time I announce a new product or boot design or fashion line, my pre-orders come and go within a weekend. Every slot fills up, and it shocks me every time it happens.”

  Karina cupped my cheeks. “And you deserve it so much, Kelly. I’m so proud of you.”

  Zane nodded. “Why don’t we ask how Brenden’s production company is going since we’re on the topic? Didn’t you take on your first movie bid a week or so back?”

  I whipped around. “Brenden, I didn’t realize that--.”

  My eyes widened when I saw him sitting there with a small box in the palm of his hand. He picked it up and cracked it open, revealing the most incredible pink diamond I’d ever seen. It sparkled in the light that shone down onto our table, and as the waiter silently divvied out the drinks we had ordered, I slowly looked into Brenden’s eyes

  “How’s your production company?” I asked in shock.

  He chuckled. “It’s fine. We can talk about that later. But, right now, I want to ask you something.”

  I nodded slowly. “So, the movie business is good?”

  Everyone at the table laughed softly as he took my left hand within his palm.

  “Kelly, I love you. In truth, I’ve loved you since the first time you turned me down for a date in college. And I admit, the love I had back then is different than what I feel for you now. But, it all comes from the same place.”

  He pressed my hand against his heart, and I felt it beating rapidly. And it made me snicker.

  “You’re so nervous.”

  He nodded. “Because I’m about to ask you something really important. So, I need you to have a clear head. Are you ready?”

  I drew in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  He smiled. “Will you help me with the laundry when we get home?”

  The table fell apart in laughter as I pushed him away playfully.

  “You’re a dick, you know that?” I asked.

  He took my hand again. “I joke, and I kid, but I do all of it just to see you smile. I make a fool out of myself every time we go out just to hear that wonderful laugh you’ve got. I love it, just like I love every part of you. Like, the way you slurp your ice cream when eating it with a spoon. Or, the way you sip your coffee in the morning and always manage to burn your tongue coming right out of the gate.”

  “I always forget how hot coffee is.”

  He smiled. “I even love the way you snore like a lawnmower in my ear.”

  My face fell. “I don’t snore.”

  He kissed the back of my hand. “My point is, I love you. Every high, every low, and everything in between. So, Kelly Crown, I want to ask you something.”

  “Yes.”

  “Will you mar--what?”

  I smiled. “Yes, Brenden. I will marry you.”

  The shock that rolled over his face warmed my heart. I threw my arms around his neck and planted a big, wet kiss against his lips. Our table burst into applause, along with the rest of the restaurant. When Brenden slid that rock of a diamond onto my finger, I couldn't contain my tears of happiness.

  Somehow, someway, I got what I wanted. Success from my fashion line, a life I could be proud of, and the man I’d been in love with since my freshman year of college.

  “You’re amazing, you know that?” Brenden asked.

  I kissed his cheek. “And you get to experience it every day for the rest of your life.”

  He chuckled. “Bring it on, gorgeous. Because we’ve got all the time in the world to experience it together.”

  MR. BIG JERK

  1

  _____

  ROXY

  The phone started ringing again, and I drew in a deep breath. I needed to calm my frustrated gut; otherwise, I’d end up popping off at a customer. Right then, with the deep shit I was already in with my boss, the last thing I needed was to blow this job.

  “SEAL Securities, how may I direct your call?”

  I listened to the gruff man rambling on the other end of the line, and I had no idea what the poor man was trying to say. That meant it was a call that needed to go straight to my boss’s office.

  “Of course, sir. I know exactly what you need. Let me get you transferred, and Mr. Hearthstone can deal with your issue directly, sir.”

  I pressed the button for my boss’s office and hung up the phone. Then, I drew in a deep breath. That stupid phone had been ringing off the damn hook since I walked in at a quarter to eight this morning. Not once had I found a chance to get through any of the things on my list for today. I leaned back in my chair, turned to my desktop computer, settled my fingers against the keys and finally logged on for the first time that day.

  It was nine-thirty in the morning.

  My phone started ringing again.

  “Good fucking--.”

  I plucked the phone from its receiver and stilled my anger.

  “SEAL Securities, how may I direct--.”

  “Stop sending calls directly to my office unless I have something on my schedule.”

  Clint’s voice made me sigh. “I couldn't understand him, and I figured it was either someone you were hiring or someone you had already hired.”

  “Don’t make me tell you again, Roxy. Unless it’s on my calendar that’s synced to your computer for that very reason, don’t send calls to my office.”

  “Well, what am I supposed to do if I can’t understand them?”

  “Try harder.”

  He hung up the phone on me, and I sighed. Yep. That was my lovely, wonderful boss: the crotchety older brother, Clint Hearthstone. I rolled my eyes as I started pecking away on the keyboard, cursing myself for not interacting with older technology up until that point in my life.

  Then again, my pecking skills were pretty quick.

  For that past year, I’d worked at Clint’s security company. After establishing it, his packages and offerings from Stonewater Realty’s clients had soared through the roof. For a while there, Clint was swamped with work. I used some of my handy tactics in order to help keep him organized and on task. That led to him offering me the first full-time position he had: as the official front desk secretary and the first face anyone saw when they walked in.

  And it had been a nightmare ever since.

  My cell phone started vibrating on my desk, and I almost ignored it.
Almost anyway. When I saw that Kelly was calling, I immediately paused what I was doing to take the call. I barely got to talk to my sister anymore with that job. I mean, by the time I got home, got showered, ate, and settled in, it was damn near nine at night!

  “Hello, hello, hello, gorgeous!”

  Kelly gasped. “I’m so glad you got to pick up the phone. Are you on a break or something?”

  “Not particularly. But girl, Clint’s already mad at me today, so how much angrier can he get?”

  “He sounds like a horrible boss.”

  I shrugged. “Eh, he’s not that bad. A bit testy and high-strung, but not a dick or anything.”

  “Well, that’s good. Otherwise, I’d have Brenden give him a piece of his mind.”

  I grinned. “How are things with the new move, anyway?”

  “I’ve finally gotten settled into his place if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m asking. Now, you two are in the same room, right? None of this ‘flippy floppy’ nonsense with bedrooms now?”

  She giggled. “Nope. None of that nonsense anymore. And it feels great. You were right, Roxy. I just needed to take the plunge.”

  “I was what now?”

  “You were right.”

  “Say that one more time? I think the connection is breaking up.”

  Kelly giggled. “You. Were. Right. Happy?”

  I leaned back. “Oh, it feels good to be Queen.”

  She barked with laughter. “I don’t know why I was overthinking it. I guess I just want things to work out so badly with Brenden that I figured moving in after the wedding date was what we needed. Thank you for talking me into doing it before all that craziness.”

  “That’s what I’m here for. To talk you into doing things that are good for yourself.”

  “Yeah, I’ll put a pin in that and address it later.”

  I sighed. “My God, I’m so fucking bored at this job. I mean, all I do is smile, wave, take appointments, and listen to Clint become grumpier as the hours' tick by.”

  “You always complained about being bored at home, though.”

  “I know, I know! But, I figured Clint would be fun as a boss. You know, like he is when we all get together on the weekends. Here, he’s Mr. No Smiles.”